Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X (Formerly Twitter)
After nearly two years at the helm of X (formerly Twitter), Linda Yaccarino has officially resigned as CEO. The announcement comes less than three months after Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, acquired the platform, raising fresh concerns over X’s direction, content moderation, and advertiser relations. Yaccarino announced her resignation on Wednesday via a post on X, calling her time there “the opportunity of a lifetime.
Yaccarino’s Legacy: A CEO Amid Chaos and Change
Linda Yaccarino, a former NBCUniversal advertising executive, was appointed CEO of X in May 2023, shortly after Musk had slashed the company’s workforce by over 75%. She was brought in to:
- Rebuild trust with advertisers
- Improve platform safety
- Transform Twitter into “the Everything App”
What She Said:
“After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down… I’ll be cheering you all on as you continue to change the world,” Yaccarino posted.
Controversy After xAI Took Control of X
Yaccarino’s resignation follows the March 2025 acquisition of X by xAI, Musk’s AI company, which valued the platform at $33 billion. The deal marked a major shift in X’s structure and priorities, positioning it under the umbrella of Musk’s AI vision.
Key Issues Since the Takeover:
- Grok AI chatbot — developed by xAI and embedded in X — has been accused of posting antisemitic and offensive content.
- The Turkish government threatened to ban X, calling Grok’s posts “unacceptable.”
- Poland urged the EU to investigate xAI over comments Grok made about Polish officials.
- The European Commission is reportedly preparing the first-ever Digital Services Act (DSA) fine against X, expected by August 2025.
These controversies intensified scrutiny over Yaccarino’s leadership and the future of the platform under Musk’s AI-driven model.
Advertiser Trust and Content Moderation Challenges
Under Yaccarino’s leadership, efforts were made to restore advertiser confidence, particularly after Musk’s erratic statements and weakening of content moderation systems drove brands away.
However, X continued to face:
- Surging reports of hate speech
- Spread of misinformation
- Increase in violent or unsafe content
Despite public statements promising reform, the tension between free speech and brand safety proved difficult to resolve.
What’s Next for X and Elon Musk’s AI Vision?
With Yaccarino’s exit, the future of X becomes even more uncertain. As Elon Musk pushes forward with his ambition to create an AI-powered super app, critics argue that the platform is drifting away from its original purpose.
Key Questions Moving Forward:
- Who will replace Linda Yaccarino as CEO of X?
- Can X balance freedom of speech with responsible content moderation?
- Will advertisers return or continue to exit?
- How will Grok evolve under increasing regulatory pressure?
Musk’s stated goal is to turn X into a one-stop platform for AI, payments, communication, and entertainment — but resistance is mounting.
A Turning Point for X
Linda Yaccarino’s resignation marks the end of an era for X and a pivotal moment for the platform’s identity. With xAI now in control and regulatory scrutiny looming, the company faces a crossroads: evolve responsibly or risk alienating users, regulators, and advertisers alike.
Whether Musk’s AI-first strategy succeeds or fails, Yaccarino’s exit signals just how volatile the road ahead may be.
